Secretary for Administration and Justice Sonia Chan Hoi Fan said on Wednesday that the government plans to build a new pumping station on the waterfront in the Inner Harbour area, adding that the government expects to invite bids for its construction during the first half of next year.

According to the Macau Post Daily, Chan made the remarks during a special press conference about the government’s efforts to restore the typhoon-hit city to normal and what it plans to do to improve its emergency response to major disasters. The press conference was held at the Government Headquarters.

Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) Vice President Lo Chi Kin said last week that his bureau has been planning the construction of a new pumping station over the past few years.

Lo also said last week that his bureau had decided that the new pumping station will be located at Pier 23. He also said that his bureau took over Pier 23 in 2016 after it had been vacated by the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA).

The bureau’s plan to demolish the Pier 23 building for the pumping station project was, however, stopped by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), which insisted that the Pier 23 building should be kept intact due to its historic and architectural values, adding that IC officials suggested another location for the station. He said the two bureaus had still to reach a consensus on the matter.

In the press conference, Chan acknowledged that the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) has meanwhile given up the idea of using Pier 23 as the location for the new pumping station. She said the bureau had already chosen another location for the project.

Chan said the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau would announce the location only after its final decision, adding she expected the bureau to invite bids for the project during the first half of next year.

Chan also said the bureau would install back-up electricity power facilities in its existing pumping stations so that they could continue to operate during severe flooding. She did not mention how many pumping stations there are in the city